100 best public domain short stories

Some classic short stories like 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry and 'The Tell-Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe are in the public domain.

Well, for the best public domain short stories, try looking on websites like ManyBooks. It offers a wide range of free e - books, and there are plenty of public domain short stories there. Additionally, some universities have digital libraries that are open to the public. These might contain collections of great public domain short stories that were digitized for academic purposes.

Some of the top public domain short stories include 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a heartwarming tale of a young couple sacrificing for each other. Another is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe, which is a thrilling and somewhat macabre story about a man's descent into madness due to a vulture - like eye.

Good character development is also key. Even in a short story, the best ones make you care about the characters. In some public domain horror stories, the main character's fear and desperation are palpable, which draws you into the story. And many of them have unexpected twists. Like in some old Gothic horror short stories, the ending might completely change your perception of what was going on throughout the story.

Some well-known horror short stories in the public domain include works by Edgar Allan Poe, such as 'The Tell-Tale Heart' and 'The Black Cat'.

The story of 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley is also among the best public domain stories. It's a pioneering work of science fiction that delves into the moral and ethical implications of creating life. It shows the consequences of Victor Frankenstein's actions when he brings his monster to life. Additionally, 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' by Mark Twain is a great public domain story. It gives a vivid picture of a boy's life in a small town along the Mississippi River, filled with adventures, pranks, and lessons about growing up.

Edgar Allan Poe is one. His short stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are in the public domain and are considered masterpieces. Another is O. Henry. His stories are known for their surprise endings. 'The Gift of the Magi' is a very popular one. Also, Nathaniel Hawthorne with stories such as 'Young Goodman Brown' is among the well - known authors of public domain short stories.

You can try websites like Project Gutenberg. It has a vast collection of public domain works, including short horror stories. Just search for 'horror' in its search bar and you'll likely find some great ones.

It depends on various factors like the date of publication and the author's copyright status. You might need to check with relevant copyright databases or consult a legal expert to get a definite answer.

Most public domain Christmas short stories are suitable for children. Since they are often from an earlier era, they tend to have a more traditional and family - friendly feel. However, it's always a good idea to preview them first, as some may use language or concepts that are a bit old - fashioned but not necessarily inappropriate.